Circuit controlling switch apparatus



Sept. 24, 1963 1-. F. PETERS CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SWITCH APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1961 INVENTOK flea/are A TTORNEY Sept. 24, 1963 T. F. PETERS CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SWITCH APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s I e m m w m4 W6 W W -M A TTOR/VEY United States Patent G Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 152,461 3 Claims. (Cl. 200-45) This invention relates generally to circuit control apparatus and more particularly to a circuit controlling switch mechanism adapted to introduce a time delay factor into energization or de-energization of an associated re mote control system. With regard to certain of its more specific aspects, the switch mechanism of the invention has particular application in a coincidental door locking and unlocking system for vehicle doors and is shown and described herein for illustrative purposes as embodied in such a door locking system.

Coincidental door locking systems have been utilized in automobiles and other vehicles to provide a convenient means for locking and unlocking all of the doors simultaneously from a single operating point such as by the operation of a switch or other control device accessible to the driver or passenger of the automobile. Some of these systems have used subatmospheric fluid pressure developed in the engine intake manifold. The attendant disadvantage of being inoperable except when the vehicle engine is running has been sometimes avoided by the provision of a bulky storage tank. 'In addition to the space required for such a tank, possible leakage makes such a door locking system unreliable when the automobile has been inoperative for a long period of time. Other locking systems have required two or more fluid conduits or electrical con nections to each door latch mechanism. Even where only a single conduit or connection has been required to operate each latch, the necessary controls have been so complicated that such latching systems have not found wide commercial acceptance.

In the illustrative coincidental door locking and unlocking system, a reversible motor driven pump is energized by selective momentary operation of a normally open double-throw switch to alternatively and simultaneously supply positive and negative fluid pressures through single fluid conduits extending to the latch mechanism of each vehicle door to effect the desired locking or unlocking. The time delay switch mechanism of the invention maintains initial energization of the reversible motor driven pump until the pump generated pressure or vacuum alternately supplied thereto is suflicient to insure actuation of the several latch mechanisms. By using a reversible pump capable of producing both pressure and vacuum simultaneously at different ports in conjunction with suitable door latch operators, the front doors being locked by a force exerted in one direction and the rear doors being locked by a force exerted in another direction, all four doors may be simul taneously locked or unlocked through single conduit connections by driving the pump in opposite directions.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred illustrative embodiment thereof, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an automobile body having a coincidental door locking and unlocking system embodying the circuit control apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view showing the motor and pump unit in enlarged plan elevation with a portion thereof broken away and further showing a door locking actuator connected thereto partially in elevation and partially in section;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the pump substantially in the direction of arrows and in the plane of the line indicated at 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic view comprising a schematic representation of the motor-pump energizing circuit for the illustrative coincidental vehicle door latching system and including a time delay circuit controlling switch mechanism illustrative of the invention which is shown in elevation with portions thereof broken away and in section; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to a portion of FIGURE 4 with additional portions broken away and in section and shows the several components of the time'delay switch mechanism in different operative control positions.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIG- URE 1 illustrates the over-all arrangement of the coincidental door locking system. In this figure, an automobile body generally designated as It has left and right front doors 12 and 14 and left and right rear doors 16 and 18. Each door has a door latch mechanism designated respectively as 2t 22, 24, and 26. The particular structural details of these door latches are not part of this invention. Various conventional and well known latches might be used. Hence, details of the several door latches are neither illustrated nor described. Reference may be had to United States Patent No. 2,877,043, entitled Rotary Bolt Door Latch and issued March 10, 9 to J. D. Leslie, for a detailed disclosure of the construction and operation of a suitable latch. Each door would normally be provided with both inside and outside operating means for the latch as disclosed in the mentioned patent.

Each latch is provided with a locking lever and a garnish molding button operator therefor. In the left front door latch 20, the locking lever shown at 20a is connected by a rod 200 to the garnish molding button 20b. In order to lock the door, the garnish molding button 20b is depressed, pushing down on the rod 200 and swinging the locking lever 20:: counterclockwise. This is similar to the locking operation for the front door latch illustrated in FIGURE 3 in Patent No. 2,877,043, supra. The left rear door latch 24 has a locking lever 24a operated by a garnish molding button 24b connected thereto through a rod 24, a bellcrank 24d, and a second rod 24:: extending bet-ween the bellcrank 24d and the locking lever 24a. Upon depression of the garnish molding button 24b, a pulling force is exerted on the rod 24:: so that the locking lever 24a is swung in a counterclockwise direction. It should be noted that in the left front door latch 20 looking is achieved by a pushing force on the locking lever 20a while in the left rear door latch 24 looking is achieved by a pulling force on the locking lever 24a. A similar coun terforce locking and unlocking is provided in the right front and rear door latches. This counterforce locking arrangement of the several doors permits the use of a relatively simple and effective coincidental door locking and unlocking system embodying the time delay switch mechanism of the invention.

The automobile 10 has a conventional fire wall 30 separating the passenger and engine compartments. As best seen in FIGURE 2, a support bracket 32 is secured to this firewall and mounts a reversible electric motor 34 within the engine compartment. This motor is drivingly connected through a gear box 35 to a reversible vane type fluid pump 36 which is also mounted by the bracket 32. The motor is energized through operation of a suitable control circuit means including the time delay switch mechanism of the invention.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the pump 36 has first and second outlets 38 and 40 alternatively subjected to either pressure and vacuum generated in accordance with FIGURE 3, pump 36 has a housing 42 defining a pumping chamber and having outlet ports 42a and 42b connected to theout-lets 38 and 40, respectively. A' rotor id is eccentrically mounted in the housing 42 on a shaft 46 and is drivingly. connected to the electric motor 34 through a gear box 35; Vanes 48 and 50 are mounted in a slot 52 extending diametrically of the rotor and project outwardly therefrom into pumping engagement with the inner wall of the housing 42. The vanes 48 and 56 are urged out Wa'rdly by a coil spring 54 which is compressively interposed between the opposed inner ends of the vanes and embraces a guide rod 56 extending therebetween. This vane pump produces pressureat outlet 38 and suction or vacuum at outlet 40 when the pump rotor is operated in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3.

Clockwise'operation of the rotor produces vacuum at outcircuit and until sufficient door looking or unlocking pressure or vacuum is applied thereto. This pressure sensitive switch mechanism is indicated at 1111 in FIGURE 1 and shown in detail in FIGURES 4 and 5. As shown FIG- URES 1 and 4, the switch mechanism 160 includes a pressure sensitive diaphragm actuator 98 connected by a conduit 162 to the pump outlet'38. This actuator comprises a fluid tight housing divided by a flexible diaphragm 1116. This diaphragm is flexed upwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 4 upon the application of negative pressure or vacuum thereto through the conduit 102 and downwardly upon the application of positive pressure thereto. A' switch actuating rod orshaft member 108 is secured at 1.16 to the center of the diaphragm 106 and reciprocably projects into a control box 112 carried by the diaphragm housing 164. Springs 114 and 116are compressively interposed between opposite end walls of the control box and collars 11S and 120 formed'at'opposite' ends of a rod carried sleeve 122. These springs provide a centering resistance to rod movement proportional to the pressure normally requiredto actuate thev several door locking levers; v

The sleeve 122 is secured to the rod 10$ by two spaced 7 parallel pins 123 and 125 extending diametrically thereapplication of fluid pressure therethrough. A stud 68 is secured at 70 to the center of the diaphragm 63' and is connected at its opposite end to the adjacent end of a' flexible cable 76. The cable 76 extends through a rubber sealing boot 72 and a sheath 74 and is connected at its distal end to the locking lever 20a of the left door latch 20. Supplied positive fluid pressure is thus transmitted through the cable 76 as a pushing force on the locking lever 2116; while negative pressure or vacuum supplied to the actuator istransmitted through the cable as a pulling force on the locking lever.

The right front door latch 22 is connected in a similar manner to the pump outlet 38 through a single fluid conduit 78, adiaphragm type actuator 80 and aflexible-cable through; These pins serve to pivotally mount two oarn members 124 and 126 adapted to respectively actuate associated circuit controlling switch means in response to either vacuum or pressure applied to the pressure responsive actuator 98. The cam members 124 and 126 extend laterally to one side of therod and sleeve assembly and sleeve assembly with the oblate openings thereof. eccen- 1 trically embracing and engaging the sleeve 122-opposite 82. Similarly, the left'rear door'latch 2 1 is connected to the pump'outlet dilfthrough a single fluid conduit 84, a

diaphragm; type actuator 86 and a cable 38' extending through a sheath 90. The right rear door latch 26 is also connected to the pump outlet 40 through a single conduit'92ya diaphragm type actuatorf94 and a flexible cableindicated at96. The several diaphragm actuators 80,86, and 94am identical with the actuator 62.

Since the front door latches are locked bywforces ex erted in one direction and the rear door latches are locked by torcesexertedin the opposite direction, the four door latches are effectively connected together for simultaneous coincidental locking and unlocking operation byv the oppositely phased pressures simultaneously produced atthe pump outlets 38 and 46. For example, if it is dedirection to produce pressure at outlet 38 and vacuum at outlet 40. The pressure from the outlet 38 is applied as -a pushing -torce actuating the locking: lever of each from door latch from an unlocked position to a locked posi-- tion. The vacuum from outlet 40 is similarly applied as a pulling force actuating the locking-levers of each rear door latch from its unlocked to locked positions. It

should be noted the several-latches cannot be locked or unlocked out o f-phase relation by operation .ofthe instant system. If one or morecf the doors has already been locked by operation of the inside garnish moldingbutton' or by an associated external key lock, the locking their respective cam arm'portions; This mounting of the vacuum operatedcam member 124 is such that'it can be pivoted relative to the rod and sleeve assembly only in counterclockwise direction from the position of FIGURE 4 as shown in broken'lines in FIGURE 5. The similar vmounting of the pressure cam member 126 is such that it can be pivoted only in a clockwise direction relative to the shaft and sleeve assembly from the position shown in FIGURE 4. A relatively light spring 128 is tensively tric-al insulating member 1341' which carries stationary switch contacts 132 and 134. A bowed conductive leaf sired to lock the doors, the pump is rotated in the proper .1

spring switch member 136 is mounted intermediate its ends on the wall 136'. The divergent opposite arms of the switch member 136 mount switch contacts-132a and 134a which are carried by appropriate flexure of their mounted in spaced parallel relation to'leaf spring switch respective mounting arms into contact engagement with the stationary sw tch contacts 132 and 134-, respectively. A second bowed cam follower leaf spring member 138 is member 136 with an insulating spacer block or washer 13 7 interposed centrally therebetween. Two spacer blocks 139 are secured intermediate the ends of the'divergent arms of the switch member 136 and slidably'engage' the corresponding divergent armof the cam following leafspring member 138. These blocks serve to transmit deflection of the cam following arms resulting from the pressure responsive translation of the: associated cam member into corresponding deflection of the adjacent contact carry arm of the leaf spring switch member 13 6. FIGURE 5 further illustrates the operational details of this pressure sensitive time delay switch mechanism. Upon application of vacuum to the flexible diaphragm 106 throughthe conduit ltll thediaphragm is flexed moving the rod 108 upwardly from its neutral position shown in FIGURE 4. During the course of this movement, the vacuum cam member 124 is translated upwardly and slidab'ly rides the adjacent arm of the cam follower 138 causing flexure of the panallel arm of the leaf spring switch member 136 closing the contacts 132 and 132a. After initial contact closing, the contacts remain closed for a period of time until the pump generated vacuum applied to the diaphragm 106 is sufficient to overcome the increased fiexural resistance of the leaf spring members 136 and 138 and, as illustrated in broken lines in FIGURE 5, carries the vacuum cam member 124 past the end of the cam following spring arm with which it has been engaged. This permits the leaf spring members 136 and 138 to rebound-to their initial positions opening the contacts 132 and 132a. As described below, this opening of the contacts breaksthe energizing circuit to the motor pump unit so that further vacuum supply is cut off from the diaphragm 106.

Subsequent normal leakage from the system permits the cam carrying rod 108 to move slowly back to its spring centered neutral position shown in FIGURE 4. Since the vacuum cam member 124 is permitted to pivot in a counterclockwise direction relative to the rod and sleeve after its initial translation, its engagement with the end of the adjacent cam following spring arm causes it to pivot and to be carried hack with the shaft toward its neutnal position of FIGURE 4. The spring 128 insures full cam return to its neutral position wherein it extends transversely of the shaft 1% and the sleeve 122. The time delay provided before the cam member 124 rides past the end of the spring arm of thecam follower member 133 insuring that all four doors are locked prior to interruption of the motor controlling circuit even though the motor switch is operated only momentarily. Upon application of pressure to the diaphragm 106, a pressure sensitive time delay is established in the manner described above through operation of the cam operator 126, thereby insuring locking of all four doors prior to interruption of the motor controlling circuit.

Referring once again to FIGURE 4, the control circuit of the illustrative coincidental door locking system is shown to include a battery 140. This may be the regular battery of the automobile or vehicle and has one terminal grounded to the vehicle frame and body. The other battery terminal is connected by a lead 142 extending through an insulator 1-44 to the conductive leaf spring switch member 135. This last mentioned battery terminal is also connected by a lead 145 to a movable pole 1480 or 1511c of two parallel control switches designated generally as 148 and 150. These switches may be individually mounted in each front door of the automobile, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, and are normally open momentary-contact single-pole double-throw switches of the type often used to control power windows and seat adjusters in automobiles. The movable pole or operating arm of reach switch is spring biased to a neutral or normally opened position. Each has a locking contact 148a or 150a, respectively, and van unlocking contact 1481; or 15%, respectively. The locking contacts 148a and 150a are connected by a lead 152 to one winding 34a of the reversible motor 34. The motor winding 34a is also connected through a branch lead to the switch contact 134 of the time delay switch mechanism. The unlocking contacts 1 33b and 15Gb of the control switches are similarly connected by a lead 156 to the opposite winding 34b of the reversible motor 34. A branch lead 158 also connects the winding 34b to the other contact 132 of the pressure sensitive time delay switch mechanism. The ends of the windings 34a and 34b remote from the several switches are grounded through the motor housing to the vehicle fname or body.

If it is desired to lock all four doors of the automobile, either switch 148 or 150 is momentarily operated to close the circuit including one of the locking contacts 148a or 150a. Since these switches are connected in parallel, their motor energizing functions are similar. Closing of either locking circuit connects the power supplying terminal through the leads 146 and 152 to the windings 34a of the motor causing the motor to drive the pump 36 in a direction to produce pressure at outlet 38 and vacuum at outlet 40. The pump generated pres sure and vacuum thus supplied cause the locking lever of each door latch to be shifted toward its locked position in the manner described above from its unlocked position. The time delay switch mechanism provides a holding circuit insuring that the motor remains energized for a period sufficient to insure locking of all four doors. As described above, the pressure acting on the diaphragm 106 of the time delay switch mechanism 100 causes closure of the switch contacts 134 and 134a so that the battery remains connected to the windings 34a through the parallel or holding circuit including the lead 142, the leaf spring 136, contacts 134a and 134, and lead 154. This holding circuit is in parallel with the switches 148 and and thus maintains motor energization regardless of the returned neutral positioning of either of the switches 148 or 150 until the cam 126 moves past the end of the cam follower spring arm 138 in the manner earlier described. The pressure sensitive time delay thus provided insures that all four doors are locked.

Coincidental unlocking may be achieved in the same manner through closure of a circuit including either of the switch contacts 148b or 15612 so that the battery is connected to the motor winding 3412. This causes the motor to drive the pump in the opposite direction to produce vacuum at outlet 38 and pressure at outlet 40. As indicated above, the vacuum sensitive actuation of the time delay switch mechanism closes the switch contacts 132 and 132a holding the motor circuit, including the windings 34b, energized until the cam 124 moves off the end of the adjacent cam follower arm.

From the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an illustrative coincidental vehicle door locking system, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes might be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a support, an actuating member mounted on said support for movement between a neutral position and finst and second operating positions, means normally maintaining said actuating member in said neutral position, a pair of switch operating members movably mounted on said actuating member for selective movement relative thereto between operating and non-operating positions and movement therewith as a unit when in either of said positions, biasing means interconnecting said switch operating members and maintaining said members in said operating positions thereof upon movement of said actuating member from said neutral position to either of said operating positions, said biasing means selectively and alternately permitting movement of one of said switch operating members to said nonoperating position thereof upon movement of said actuating member irom said first operating position to said neutral position or permitting movement of the other of said switch operating members to said non-operating position thereof upon movement of said actuating member from said second operating position to said neutral position, switch means including a pair of stationary con tacts mounted on said support and a pair of switch arm means respective to said switch operating members and operated thereby upon movement of said actuating member from said neutral position to one of said operating positions, a movable contact carried by each switch arm means for closure to a respective stationary contact, and cooperating means on a respective switch operating memher and switch arm means operative upon closure of said neutral position to move said respectiveswitch operating member to said non-operating position thereof.

,2. Apparatus as recited in claim l'wherein said switch arm means includes a bowed switch member mounted intermediate the free ends thereof on said support, said' switch operating members being'respective to one of the arms of said switch member and beingengageable with said free ends thereofupon closure of said contacts and movement of said actuating member from either said first or second operating positions to said neutral position to move said switch operating members to said noneoperati-ng positions thereof. I

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said switch arm means includes a. first bowed leaf spring member mounted intermediate the free ends thereof on said support and carrying said movable. contacts on the arm thereof, a second bowed leaf. spring member mounted intermediate the ends thereof on said support and'insul'ated from said first spring member, said switch operatingymembers being respective to onearm of said second member and being engageable therewith upon closure of said contacts and movement of said actuating member from either said first or second operating positions to said neutral position to move said switch operating members to said non-operating positions thereof. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,430,286 Flegel Nov. 4, 1947 2,492,261 Bordelon Dec. 27, 1949 2,635,546 Enyeart et a1. Apr. 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Jan. 9, 1957 

1. A CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT, AN ACTUATING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A NEUTRAL POSITION AND FIRST AND SECOND OPERATING POSITIONS, MEANS NORMALLY MAINTAINING SAID ACTUATING MEMBER IN SAID NEUTRAL POSITION, A PAIR OF SWITCH OPERATING MEMBERS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FOR SELECTIVE MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN OPERATING AND NON-OPERATING POSITIONS AND MOVEMENT THEREWITH AS A UNIT WHEN IN EITHER OF SAID POSITIONS, BIASING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID SWITCH OPERATING MEMBERS AND MAINTAINING SAID MEMBERS IN SAID OPERATING POSITIONS THEREOF UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FROM SAID NEUTRAL POSITION TO EITHER OF SAID OPERATING POSITIONS, SAID BIASING MEANS SELECTIVELY AND ALTERNATELY PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF ONE OF SAID SWITCH OPERATING MEMBERS TO SAID NONOPERATING POSITION THEREOF UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FROM SAID FIRST OPERATING POSITION TO SAID NEUTRAL POSITION OR PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF THE OTHER OF SAID SWITCH OPERATING MEMBERS TO SAID NON-OPERATING POSITION THEREOF UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FROM SAID SECOND OPERATING POSITION TO SAID NEUTRAL POSITION, SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF STATIONARY CONTACTS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT AND A PAIR OF SWITCH ARM MEANS RESPECTIVE TO SAID SWITCH OPERATING MEMBERS AND OPERATED THEREBY UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FROM SAID NEUTRAL POSITION TO ONE OF SAID OPERATING POSITIONS, A MOVABLE CONTACT CARRIED BY EACH SWITCH ARM MEANS FOR CLOSURE TO A RESPECTIVE STATIONARY CONTACT, AND COOPERATING MEANS ON A RESPECTIVE SWITCH OPERATING MEMBER AND SWITCH ARM MEANS OPERATIVE UPON CLOSURE OF SAID CONTACTS AND MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FROM EITHER SAID FIRST OR SAID SECOND OPERATING POSITIONS TO SAID NEUTRAL POSITION TO MOVE SAID RESPECTIVE SWITCH OPERATING MEMBER TO SAID NON-OPERATING POSITION THEREOF. 